Best Seat in the House...

Over the last couple of weeks, Ethan has been wanting to hang out in the chair in his room.  He is pretty particular about how things are arranged when he is sitting in that chair.  This morning while I was getting ready for church, I hear him fussing a little in his room.  So, I go in to see what's up and he is in the chair trying to cover himself up with a blanket the size of a hand towel. I helped him by covering his feet and then I sat down on the ottoman...he looked at me and pointed to his door and said 'other room' (in his language).  I asked him if he wanted me to leave and sure enough, he did.  What a cute little weirdo!

I found him like this last week when I thought he had been too quiet for too long.

This morning...
Milk: check, Monkey: check, Blanket: check, Books: check

Is Winter Over Yet??

According to Puxatony Phil, almost.  He is predicting an early spring...we'll just have to see about that.  We had quite a winter storm pass through here (and just about everywhere else) yesterday and last night.  We didn't get the 10-20 inches of snow that was predicted, but we did get somewhere around 7 in (according to weather.com) after the ice pellets finally quit falling out of the sky (those things hurt!).  Anyway, I decided that Ethan and I would suit up and play in the snow...or work in the snow.  I needed to shovel a little path on the deck so Max wouldn't throw snow all over the house everytime he went out and came back in.  Our time spent outside was shorter than the time it took to get dressed.  It's just too cold...

A nice drift on the deck

Suited up and ready to go!

And, just about ready to come back inside

 My snow pictures are put to shame by our northern cousins (Phillip and Amanda) in Chicago.  Check out their snow!!

One, Two, Four, Elmo!

I took a short video of Ethan counting this morning (with a little help).  It was pretty cute!

I'm an Aunt...Again!

This post is about a week overdue, but better late than never I suppose.  My sister, Sarah and her husband, Patrick had a baby boy, William Patrick, last Friday (Jan. 21) morning.  They live out in Port Angeles, WA so we haven't met our new nephew yet, but I'm hoping to get the chance soon.  From what I hear, Will's big sister, Lily (18 mo) is very excited about her new baby brother and can't stop kissing him.  Here are a few pictures of sweet baby Will.

Stats: Born 1-21-11 @ 12:21am
8 lbs 1 oz, 21 1/4 in long

Sarah and Will doing great!

Big sister Lily loving on Will

20 Months?!?

Our Baby Ethan is 20 months old today!!  Where did the time go?!?  I know every parent wonders this.  I know this because almost daily I have someone telling me they can't believe they have a teenager or a college student and that it seems like just yesterday they were changing diapers.  It is so easy to wish for the next milestone to get here, (ie: crawling, walking, potty trained, etc...) but I am really trying to just enjoy now.

So, I thought I would take some time to journal what Ethan is doing and in to these days...at 20 months!

• Talking!  He is saying everything.  He's like a little parrot...so watch what you say around him.  I tried to write down everything he says and I just couldn't do it.  Some of his favorites are: Blueberries (Bla-lees),  Colors: Red, Lellow, Geeeen, Pu-pur, Blue (he can usually point to the correct color and say it), Dude, Putter, Cheese, Juice, Milk (Meee-il), Remote (Mote)
• Music/Dancing.

 

He has some mad dancin' skills!!

• Golfing.  I think he pretty much likes anything and everything about golf.  He will literally drop what he is doing if golf is on TV and stand or sit there and watch it.  He brings Golf Digest magazines to us saying 'ball ball' over and over until we sit down and look through it with him.  And he, of course, has his own indoor and outdoor set of golf clubs and balls.  He knows the putter by name (see above).  His father is so very proud!



"Ball"

• Bathtime.  (If you haven't guessed that by the amount of bathtime pictures we have.)  We used to spell out B-A-T-H so he wouldn't get excited before it was time...that worked for a little while.  He has now figured out how to spell bath and runs to the bathtub when we spell it.



Loving his new water toy

• Counting...sort of.  I'm his mother, so I can consider 'One, two, four, eight' counting.  Sometimes he throws a five and a six in there, but we rarely get a three or a seven.
• Books.  We have about a gazillion books and Ethan loves them.  We look at and read most of them everyday.

This picture is old, but he still loves this book!

I could probably go on and on, but you get the idea.  This kid amazes everyday with something new.  He has melted my heart with a couple of new things in the past month or two.  He has started kissing our cheeks before we lay him down for bed.  He makes the sound and everything!  I thought I was going to cry the first time.  I love it!  And the other day he said bless you after I sneezed!  It was more like 'betch you', but I knew what he meant.
So, for those of you who actually read all that...thanks.  Now you know a little more about our sweet little Ethan.

And now...it's naptime!!

We Love this kid!!

Sick Day??

I took Ethan to the doctor yesterday because he is so congested and started coughing.  Nothing major, just an upper respiratory infection.  The doctor did recommend I stay home with him today and he would probably be fine to return to daycare by Thursday.  He slept great last night and is not acting a bit sick today, except for the constant nose wiping and occasional cough. 

Yesterday...looking slightly pitiful.

 

2 seconds later...jumping on the couch

And this morning, a little Wii fit action

Really into catching those 'pish' (fish)

Snacktime!

I'm really glad he isn't on his death bed...I do have some drugs if he gets there though.  So, instead of work, I get to spend another awesome day with my baby!

Giddy-Up!

Typical Ethan/Daddy play around here...

Faster, faster!!

Shaving with Pop

Ethan and I made a quick trip to Salem Friday and Saturday.  Ethan is always taken with his Pop and wanted to do everything with him.  Saturday morning I caught them shaving together.  (Out of respect for my dad, I did not include the picture of the 2 of them)

Getting a close cut

Visitors

This past weekend, Grandma Karen, Uncle Dustin and Amanda (Dustin's gal) came up for a visit.  They came Saturday afternoon and stayed until Sunday afternoon.  We all had a great time and Ethan especially loved his time with Uncle Dustin (and saying Dustin over and over).  Dustin had to sleep on the areobed in the living room and Sunday afternoon Ethan thought the bed looked like a good time.  He enjoyed jumping on it, jumping off it, and being popped up when Dustin pushed down on his side.  I didn't get my camera to document, but it was fun to watch. 

Catching some playoff football action

They were up in our region to watch Jared's cousin, Darcy, compete in the Miss Illinois County Fair pageant after she won Miss Marion County this past summer.  We weren't able to go due to the late hour, but I saw pictures and she looked beautiful.  Congrats Darcy! 

Miss Marion County Fair Queen, Darcy!

This and That...

I haven't been the greatest at posting pictures lately...sorry.  Here are some that I've missed over the past several days.

My cute Cardinal fan!! (He loves hats, as you will see)

Night time dog walk...Max wasn't too thrilled

His love for hats again, the diaper hat!

1 more hat...Baby hat!  The one he wore right after he was born. 
A little small, but he looks so proud!

Fun With Aunt Abby!!

Abby (my sister) came up last night to spend the night and day with us, just hanging out.  We had a great day.  She brought her new, fancy-shmancy camera so we took a lot of pictures!  It was a fun day full of playing!!  Ethan loves his Aunt Abby and keeps saying her name over and over.  Enjoy some pictures from our day with Abby!

Playing in the tunnel!

Jumping lessons...he did get both feet in the air at once a few times!

Chilling in the tent with pillows made by Abby

This was a fun game...see how far Abby will let me stick my hand in her mouth.

Too far, too far!!

Animal drawing on the computer

Dragging all the pots, pans and bowls out, to sit in

Thanks for coming Abby!! We had a great day!

Happy 2011!!

Today was a great day here at the Collier house...and we didn't even leave!  I love lazy days with my boys.  I think I was in my PJ's until noon!  Other than just hanging out and playing we got the Christmas tree and other decorations down and put away, even the outdoor ones.  Here are a few pictures from the first day of 2011 at our house...

A favorite for both of them...PGA tour here we come??

Hanging out in his tent

Stocking cap and no shirt...

...pretty styling!